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Author
Topic: My state may be next (Read 3131 times)

In what seems to be an increasing move by states to legalize gay marriage, albeit somewhat frustratingly slow, our Governor has come out in support and will be proposing legislation to enact it.

I live in a fairly progressive state, but one that has a track record of going either way. Currently the Dems hold the majority in the House and Senate, and every statewide office except the AG, (who's running for governor next year as Gregoire is not seeking reelection).So, while I'm still skeptical about the possibility, given all the other challenges this state faces in the upcoming legislative session (read: BUDGET)it could happen.

The state Senate passed the bill and it is now headed to the House, where it will easily pass. The Governor will sign the bill.

Never in my lifetime did I think something like this could happen, but it appears to be the case.

The only hiccup is the threat of putting an initiative on the ballot for voters to decide. Opponents have until June 6th to gather 120,000 for this to be the case. But they can't file their initiative and begin to collect signatures until after the Governor signs the bill. In other words the longer she waits to sign the bill, the less time they will have to gather those signatures.

I know the focus is on the recent 9th circuit court ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitunal.

But please allow me one small grain of pride in the state in which I live. Washington appears to be on the verge of becoming the 7th state to legalize gay marriage. My partner and I will celebragte 25 years come this July, we can't think of a more special gift. Threat to tradional marriage? Hell give me a break!

It already passed the Senate and today it passed the house, and is headed to the governor for her signature.

There will potentially be a referendum fight, assuming opponents can gather the necessary signatures to place it on the ballot.

Well, unfortionately Washington is one of the 24 states that permits referendum's. So even though the legislature has passed this and the governor will sign it, the people of Washington will get to vote on whether my partner and I can get married.

Putting what I consider to be a civil rights issue up to a popular vote really upsets me (especially since it cooncerns me). I do not know if the people of Washington will support it. Washington (and Seattle) play itself off as being liberal and open minded but, I question whether that is really the case.

One thing I am not looking forward to is the tv commercials starting talking about how marriage equality (i dont use the term gay marrige) will destroy society. I remember the commercials in California during prop 8. I dont want to see that again.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I know the focus is on the recent 9th circuit court ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitunal.

But please allow me one small grain of pride in the state in which I live. Washington appears to be on the verge of becoming the 7th state to legalize gay marriage. My partner and I will celebragte 25 years come this July, we can't think of a more special gift. Threat to tradional marriage? Hell give me a break!

It already passed the Senate and today it passed the house, and is headed to the governor for her signature.

There will potentially be a referendum fight, assuming opponents can gather the necessary signatures to place it on the ballot.

You have every right to be extremely proud of your fellow citizens, who elected leaders that support full equal rights. I am so happy for the both of you and maybe you could both come to the AMG and have a reception to honor your union.

Bill Maher talked about this tonight on his show. He was saying how unAmerican it is (or should be) to put civil rights up for a vote. He also said reporters should be asking Mitt why his church dumped $20 Million into California, when their Mormon population is less than 1%. And, whether that was a good use of $20 Million.

Here is some progress. In the past when looking for b-day cards for my partner, I always had to search and search for one that wasn't sex specific. I found this for him at good ol' Walgreens. It is sad how shocked and surprised I was. At first, I thought maybe one was a woman with a very masculine looking arm. Good for Hallmark!

Bill Maher talked about this tonight on his show. He was saying how unAmerican it is (or should be) to put civil rights up for a vote.

Absolutely. Not only unAmerican, but just plain unHuman/inhumane. Civil rights are human rights and not a fad, fashion or something that should be the subject of what is basically a popularity contest.

He also said reporters should be asking Mitt why his church dumped $20 Million into California, when their Mormon population is less than 1%. And, whether that was a good use of $20 Million.

$20 million is small change to the Church of Latter Day Saints.

I hope there is a huge backlash from the residents of Washington state if the (out-of-state) Mormons interfere with the referendum like they did in CA. Beware the clean-cut young men in black dress pants, white shirts and conservative ties. Slam the door in their faces!

Have any of you guys here read up on the history of the Mormon church - and some of the crazy things they still believe in to this day? (Baptising dead people? Really?) I did after becoming fascinated with the telly series Big Love. Talk about lunacy.... !!! Their choir may sound heavenly, but their politics have the potential to make life hell-on-earth for many people.

BTW, is a referendum a sure-thing? How's that petition going? Is there such a thing as a counter-petition to stop the right-wing nutjob petition?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

This is true . I'm hoping for the day to come when churches lose their tax free ride when they insist on venturing into political matters that try to sway or influence what happens at the ballot box .

Hear, hear! I'm sick of the "have it both ways" mentality - push religion into legislation, but then cry foul about things like this current contraception calamity that the right is all in a lather about.

Hear, hear! I'm sick of the "have it both ways" mentality - push religion into legislation, but then cry foul about things like this current contraception calamity that the right is all in a lather about.

Exactly ... and it drives me nuts when they claim its not about contraception but the first amendment ... its bullshit and a sad way to futher attack the right for a woman to use family planning effectively .

BTW, is a referendum a sure-thing? How's that petition going? Is there such a thing as a counter-petition to stop the right-wing nutjob petition?

Questions, questions, questions.

Once the Governor signs the bill (which is happening on Monday) the group opposing the bill can register their opposition with the state. They then will have 90 days to collect 120,000 signatures. If they collect the signatures the law would be placed on hold until it can be voted on by the people (will happen in November). If they cannot collect enough signatures then the law will take effect in June.

Conversly, Washington also allows for initiatives. So seperately if enough signatures are collected this issue could be on the ballot twice (done to confuse voters). If either vote is no the law is void. They will try this tactic as it almost always ends up killing the law.

Today, Rick Santorum announced he will travel to Washington State on Monday (same day the governor is signing the bill) to campaign against it.

I'm noticing (many are noticing) how the repub candidates are all switching to the social issues that have worked for them in the past. Mitt has said that the economy is improving. Many repubs went nuts, asking how is he going to make the argument that Obama was handed this awful economy, push through stimulus, and now the economy is improving--but you should still vote repub. So, I think they're going for the social issues. We've seen this with all the contraception and planned parenthood talk. I just don't think it will work this time. I guess we'll see. I just saw a poll that nearly half of Americans believe we should bomb Iran. Another conflict and war? Maybe I shouldn't be so optimistic.

Baptizing dead people-- I believe Mitt's father-in-law was either an atheist or agnostic. They baptized him anyway after he died. I will have to go back and look at that again, but I'm pretty sure I'm correct on that.